Koehler shocked by sudden stumble in outing

NEW YORK -- For three innings, everything was moving along so smoothly for Tom Koehler in what was shaping up as a strong pitching matchup with Matt Harvey. Then, the second time through the order, things collapsed quickly for the Marlins' right-hander.

The sudden swing led to a seven-run fourth inning that placed the Marlins in a deep hole, and the Mets were able to hold on, 7-6, on Sunday at Citi Field.

NEW YORK -- For three innings, everything was moving along so smoothly for Tom Koehler in what was shaping up as a strong pitching matchup with Matt Harvey. Then, the second time through the order, things collapsed quickly for the Marlins' right-hander.

The sudden swing led to a seven-run fourth inning that placed the Marlins in a deep hole, and the Mets were able to hold on, 7-6, on Sunday at Citi Field.

"You saw how the team fought back and how they responded," Koehler said. "It feels good as a pitcher knowing they have your back like that. At the same time, it's extremely disappointing hanging the bullpen out to dry. It's not what you want to happen."

The Mets blindsided Miami all weekend, sweeping the four-game set, which knocked the Marlins to 3-10.

Koehler got off to a hot start, needing 27 pitches to retire the first nine he faced in order. He even added a single off Harvey.

Miami led by a run in the fourth, until Curtis Granderson singled to spark an inning where the Mets sent 12 to the plate and scored seven times. Koehler threw 34 pitches to eight batters, and got one out. He was lifted for Sam Dyson.

The Marlins did make things interesting, getting Harvey for four runs in six-plus innings. Miami even had the tying run on second base in the ninth inning before Jeurys Familia retired Giancarlo Stanton on a ground ball to third for the final out.

"I think we battled Harvey," manager Mike Redmond said. "He's tough. I've seen him a lot better. We had some chances on him today. But even so, I was expecting it to be a close game. We couldn't hold them back.

"We don't have enough pitchers down there to have guys warming up in the fourth inning every night, and we've seen that all week."

It's the fourth time in Koehler's career he's given up as many as seven runs. He also allowed seven against the Brewers on May 23, 2014, and against the D-backs on July 7, 2014. His career high is nine runs, to the Cardinals on June 15, 2013.

"It's shocking whether you start terrible," Koehler said. "It's not what you want to happen. I felt good. I just was unable to make the pitch that I needed to make to get us back in the dugout."